?I am very tired. Probably because of the past 48 years. I started singing in 1958 and there has been no pause since,? Gregor told the regional daily Délmagyarország.
?My last season was very busy, and now, after much thought, I have decided not to take on any more performances.?
The Kossuth Award-winning singer was to have sung several lead roles at the State Opera in Budapest and the Szeged National Theatre in the new season. He was also to have sung as a guest at several concerts.
Gregor told Délmagyarország he had wanted to see how rehearsals for Don Pasquale went at the State Opera before making his decision whether or not to retire. The first off-stage rehearsals went well, but when stage rehearsals started, the running around made singing all the more difficult, Gregor said.
The Szeged National Theatre has taken Fiddler on the Roof off its programme because of the decision, theatre director József Szegedi told Délmagyarország. Gregor was cast in the role of Tevye.
Although Gregor generously offered to coach another performer to fill the role, Székhelyi said the performance simply would not have been the same without the singer?s presence.
Gregor said he looked forward to spending more time reading, surfing the internet and listening to music. He said he would not take up teaching, but would be happy to offer critiques of new talents.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
